Satellite Internet on trains and a national satellite communications system are among the proposals included in the UK Government's new £7.8 billion ($10.5bn) National Space Strategy.
The strategy, released this week, lays out a number of key goals in the space industry to reinforce British national reindustrialization and national security. It is supported by funds from the European Space Agency.
The new strategy replaces the previous National Space Strategy published in 2021 by the former Conservative regime, and will see £7.8bn ($10.5bn) invested by 2030, the government claims.
“This plan will enable our excellent UK industry to seize the boundless opportunities of this new age in space, creating skilled jobs, driving growth and improving connectivity for all of us,” said business, innovation, science and trade secretary, Jonathan Reynolds in a statement.
The new strategy cited a set of strategic priorities, including £148m ($200m) for “European rocket programs” and £30m ($40.5m) for native space launch from SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland. £163m ($220m) was quoted for space science and exploration missions including the Rosalind Franklin Mars Rover built in Stevenage, space domain awareness, £9m ($12.1m) from the Met Office to strengthen solar weather forecasting, and the UK’s SKYNET defense communications programs.
